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Detroit Lakes, Minnesota Area Forests & Refuges
Within an hour from Detroit Lakes you can explore three Minnesota state parks and three state forests. A preserve is located on the southeast side of the city. Two national wildlife refuges and a wetland management district are located within minutes of Detroit Lakes.Maplewood State Park is just 25 minutes south of Detroit Lakes. Beautiful any time of the year, this 9,264-acre park is most appreciated in fall, when maple leaves explode with color. Take a horse on a 20-mile trail ride, hike or bike 25 miles or stroll along the 1.2 self-guided tour trail. In the winter ski on 13 miles of groomed trails or snowmobile 15 miles through the park. Camp, boat, fish, picnic - Maplewood has it all.
Head 30 minutes west to Buffalo River State Park. Hike 12 miles in the summer; ski 6 miles in the winter. This 1,322-acre park has camping, river fishing, a visitors center and interpretive exhibits.
An hour away, Itasca Park is well worth the trip. Take your time exploring this 32,690-acre park. There's not much you won't find here. There's camping, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing and snowmobile trails. Regularly scheduled naturalist programs, interpretive exhibits and a visitors center make Itasca a fun and educational place to visit. While you're there, don't forget to check out the place where the Mississippi River begins. Visit the new Mary Gibbs Headwaters Center and Visitor Center to learn the park's history.
Finally, a 20-minute trip east takes you to the heart of Smoky Hills State Forest, 24,000 acres of rolling hills and forests. Hike, bike or just enjoy the view. While you're there, explore neighboring Two Inlets State Forest with 26,000 acres of public land, and White Earth State Forest with 160,000 acres of forest, brush and marsh. The forests offer exceptional fall foliage viewing and winter trails for snowmobiling.
TAMARAC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Located 18 miles northeast of Detroit Lakes, this 43,000-acre refuge includes more than 20 lakes, three rivers and thousands of marshes and woodland ponds. More than 250 bird species, such as the Bald Eagle, Trumpeter Swan and Ruffed Grouse call Tamarac home. Search for whitetail deer, porcupine, beaver, black bear, moose or timber wolf. Start your visit at the Visitor's Center, open weekdays year round, as well as summer and fall weekends. The center features an exhibit area, bookshop and auditorium. Pick up literature describing self-guided auto tours and hikes in the forest. Find out more about Tamarac at:www.fws.gov/midwest/tamarac/
E-mail: tamarac@fws.gov
Phone: 218-847-2641
TYY: 1-800-657-3775
HAMDEN SLOUGH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Designated as one of Minnesota's Important Bird Areas, the refuge is located 6 miles northwest of Detroit Lakes at the intersection of County Road 104 and Township Road 440. Hamden Slough offers excellent viewing of waterfowl, marsh and shorebirds and birds of prey during spring and fall migrations. Over 225 prairie birds, such as LeConte's Sparrow, Prairie Chickens and Marbled Godwits are commonly seen. Wetlands, native grasslands and wildflowers are being restored. Contact the Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District office for information.www.fws.gov/midwest/hamdenslough
Phone: 218-847-4431
TTY: 1-800-877-8339
DL WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
The district manages 50,000 acres of wetland and prairie habitat, home to birds, wildlife and plants. The more than 90 acre wetland located at the district's headquarters just a mile from Detroit Lakes is open to visitors. Hikers and birders especially appreciate the 1.5 mile Prairie Marsh Trail. Watch for Osprey, waterfowl, prairie sparrows, woodpeckers, Trumpeter Swans, bluebirds and white-tailed deer. Walk the boardwalk into the wetlands for up-close bird viewing. The headquarters is one mile north of Detroit Lakes on North Tower Road, open 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.www.fws.gov/midwest/DetroitLakes
e-mail: DetroitLakes@fws.gov
Phone: 218-847-4431
SUCKER CREEK PRESERVE
This newest nature area is located within the city of Detroit Lakes. You will be greeted by a circular parking lot for cars and buses. A half-mile handicapped accessible path leads you through maple and basswood forest, mixed with prairie. Interpretive signage and eco-friendly benches provide stops to rest along the way. The paved path culminates with an ampitheatre. Access the new marshwalk by unimproved Janet Boe Memorial Path. The more than 60 acres also includes swamp and trout stream. Take Highway 10 east of Detroit Lakes to 290th Avenue, then 3/10 mile.http://www.ci.detroit-lakes.mn.us
Phone: 218-847-8032.
